Encoded information reading terminal with micro-projector

ABSTRACT

An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal can comprise a microprocessor, a memory, an EIR device including a two-dimensional imager, and a micro-projector including a light source and a light manipulation sub-system. The EIR device can be configured to output raw message data containing an encoded message and/or output a decoded message corresponding to an encoded message. The EIR terminal can be configured to acquire an image of a target object in a field of view (FOV) of the two-dimensional imager. The EIR terminal can be further configured, responsive to successfully locating decodable indicia within the image, to produce a decoded message by decoding the decodable indicia. The EIR terminal can be further configured, responsive to successfully decoding the decodable indicia, to generate a projectable image and to project the projectable image onto a surface of the target object using the micro-projector. The projectable image can include a text string comprising at least part of the decoded message and/or a text string derived from the decoded message. The EIR terminal can be further configured to compensate for terminal movements when projecting the projectable image.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally related to encoded information reading (EIR)terminals, and more specifically to EIR terminals performing imageprocessing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Indicia reading apparata for reading decodable indicia are available inmultiple varieties. For example, minimally featured indicia readingterminals devoid of a keyboard and display are common in point of sale(POS) applications. Indicia reading terminals devoid of a keyboard anddisplay are available in the recognizable gun style form factor having ahandle and a trigger. Indicia reading terminals having keyboards anddisplays are also available, often in a form where a keyboard anddisplay are combined in a touch screen. Fixed mount indicia readingterminals are also commonly available, e.g., installed under or near acountertop at a point of sale. Indicia reading terminals are commonlyused in a variety of data collection applications including POSapplications, retail inventory applications, shipping applications,warehousing applications, security check point applications, patientcare applications, and personal use applications where the indiciareading apparatus is provided by a mobile telephone having indiciareading functionality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, there is provided an encoded information reading(EIR) terminal comprising a microprocessor, a memory, an EIR deviceincluding a two-dimensional imager, and a micro-projector including alight source and a light manipulation sub-system. The EIR device can beconfigured to output raw message data containing an encoded messageand/or output a decoded message corresponding to an encoded message. TheEIR terminal can be configured to acquire an image of a target object ina field of view (FOV) of the two-dimensional imager. The EIR terminalcan be further configured, responsive to successfully locating decodableindicia within the image, to produce a decoded message by decoding thedecodable indicia. The EIR terminal can be further configured,responsive to successfully decoding the decodable indicia, to repeatedlyperform the following steps: (i) generating a projectable image; (ii)projecting the projectable image onto a surface of the target objectusing the micro-projector, so that the projectable image provides avisual reference to the decodable indicia on the surface of the targetobject; (iii) acquiring an image of an object in the FOV; (iv) locatingthe decodable indicia within the acquired image; and (v) looping back tostep (i) unless a pre-defined condition of termination is satisfied.

In a further aspect, the frequency of performing the steps (i)-(v) canbe calculated to compensate for movements of the EIR terminal.

In a further aspect, the pre-defined condition of termination can beprovided by a pre-defined timeout expiration or a user interface action.

In a further aspect, the EIR terminal can be configured to acquire theimage of the target object responsive to a user interface action.

In a further aspect, the visual reference can be provided by overlayingeach of the projectable images over the decodable indicia on the surfaceof the target object or disposing each of the projectable images on thesurface of the target object within a distance from the decodableindicia not exceeding a characteristic dimension of the decodableindicia.

In a further aspect, each of the projectable images can include a textstring comprising at least a part of the decoded message and/or a textstring derived from the decoded message.

In a further aspect, the EIR terminal can further comprise a second EIRdevice provided by a radio-frequency identifier (RFID) reading device ora card reading device.

In another embodiment, there is provided an EIR terminal comprising amicroprocessor, a memory, an EIR device including a two-dimensionalimager, a micro-projector including a light source and a lightmanipulation sub-system, and a motion sensing device configured tooutput motion sensing data. The EIR device can be configured to outputraw message data containing an encoded message and/or output a decodedmessage corresponding to an encoded message. The EIR terminal can beconfigured to acquire an image of a target object in a field of view(FOV) of the two-dimensional imager. The EIR terminal can be furtherconfigured, responsive to successfully locating decodable indicia withinthe image, to produce a decoded message by decoding the decodableindicia. The EIR terminal can be further configured, responsive tosuccessfully decoding the decodable indicia, to generate a projectableimage and project the projectable image onto a surface of the targetobject using the micro-projector, the projectable image providing avisual reference to the decodable indicia on the surface the targetobject. The EIR terminal can be further configured, using the motionsensing data, to compensate for terminal movements when projecting theprojectable image.

In a further aspect, the motion sensing device can be provided by atleast three accelerometers configured to measure proper accelerationvalues of the EIR terminal in at least three mutually-perpendiculardirections.

In a further aspect, the EIR terminal can be configured to acquire theimage of the target object responsive to a user interface action.

In a further aspect, the visual reference can be provided by overlayingthe projectable image over the decodable indicia on the surface of thetarget object and/or disposing the projectable image on the surface ofthe target object within a distance from the decodable indicia notexceeding a characteristic dimension of the decodable indicia.

In a further aspect, the projectable image can include a text stringcomprising at least a part of the decoded message and/or a text stringderived from the decoded message.

In a further aspect, the EIR terminal can further comprise a second EIRdevice provided by a radio-frequency identifier (RFID) reading device ora card reading device.

In a yet another embodiment, there is provided an EIR terminalcomprising a microprocessor, a memory, an EIR device including atwo-dimensional imager, a micro-projector including a light source and alight manipulation sub-system, and a motion sensing device configured tooutput motion sensing data. The EIR device can be configured to outputraw message data containing an encoded message and/or output a decodedmessage corresponding to an encoded message. The EIR terminal can beconfigured to acquire an image of a target object in a field of view(FOV) of the two-dimensional imager. The EIR terminal can be furtherconfigured, responsive to successfully locating decodable indicia withinthe image, to produce a decoded message by decoding the decodableindicia. The EIR terminal can be further configured, responsive tosuccessfully decoding the decodable indicia, to generate a projectableimage and to project the projectable image onto a surface the targetobject using the micro-projector. The projectable image can include atext string comprising at least part of the decoded message and/or atext string derived from the decoded message. The EIR terminal can befurther configured, using the motion sensing data, to compensate forterminal movements when projecting the projectable image.

In a further aspect, the motion sensing device can be provided by atleast three accelerometers configured to measure proper accelerationvalues of the EIR terminal in at least three mutually-perpendiculardirections.

In a further aspect, the EIR terminal can be further configured toacquire the image of the target object responsive to receiving a userinterface action.

In a further aspect, the projectable image can provide a visualreference to the decodable indicia on the surface of the target object.In a further aspect, the visual reference can be provided by overlayingthe projectable image over the decodable indicia and/or disposing theprojectable image within a distance from the decodable indicia notexceeding a characteristic dimension of the decodable indicia.

In a further aspect, the micro-projector can be configured to projectonto the surface of the target object a border of the FOV of thetwo-dimensional imager.

In a further aspect, the EIR terminal can further comprise a second EIRdevice provided by a radio-frequency identifier (RFID) reading device ora card reading device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspectsof one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should beunderstood that the present invention is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an EIR terminal projecting an imageonto the surface of an object bearing decodable indicia;

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of the EIR terminal disclosed herein;

FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of the indicia reading system and imageprojecting system comprised by the EIR terminal disclosed herein;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the EIR terminal disclosed herein;

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b depict flowcharts of illustrative embodiments of amethod of projecting an image by a decodable indicia reading terminaldisclosed herein; and

FIG. 6 depicts a network-level layout of a data collection systemutilizing decodable indicia reading terminal disclosed herein.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generallybeing placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In thedrawings, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout thevarious views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, there is provided an encoded information reading(EIR) terminal comprising an imaging device. The EIR terminal can beconfigured to acquire an image of an object focused onto by the imaginglens, locate decodable indicia within the acquired image, and decode thedecodable indicia into at least one character string comprisingalphanumeric and non-alphanumeric characters. For example, a UPC barcode can be decoded into a character string comprising twelve decimaldigits identifying the source and the model of a retail item.

The EIR terminal can further comprise a micro-projector including alight source and a light manipulation sub-system. The EIR terminal canbe configured, responsive to successfully decoding the decodableindicia, to generate and project an image onto the target object (e.g.,the object bearing decodable indicia) using the micro-projector, so thatthe image would provide a visual reference to the decodable indicia onthe surface of the target object. In one illustrative embodiment,schematically shown in FIG. 1, a decoded bar code 12 can be highlightedin order to provide a visual feed back to the operator of the EIRterminal. In another example, the decoded message can be projected witha visual reference to the decoded indicia. In a yet another example,information 16 derived from the decoded message (e.g., price and/orstock information for the item bearing the decodable indicia) can beprojected onto the surface of target object 14 with a visual referenceto the decoded indicia 12.

In a further aspect, the information derived from the decoded messagecan be received by the EIR terminal from an external computer.Alternatively, the information derived from the decoded message can beretrieved by the EIR terminal from its memory.

In some embodiments, terminal status information (e.g., battery status,imager parameters, etc.) can be projected onto the surface of the targetobject. In some embodiments, the border of the field of view (FOV) ofthe imaging device can be projected onto the surface of the targetobject.

In a further aspect, the EIR terminal can be configured to compensatefor its movements while projecting the image onto the surface of thetarget object. In one embodiment, the EIR terminal can, responsive tosuccessfully decoding the decodable indicia, to repeatedly generate aprojectable image, project the projectable image onto the surface of thetarget object, and acquire a new image of the target object. Uponprojecting the projectable image, the EIR terminal can ascertain whethera pre-determined termination condition is satisfied, and if so, exitfrom the image projecting loop. The termination condition can beprovided, for example, by an expiration of a pre-defined timeout and/ora user interface action.

Alternatively, the EIR terminal can be configured to compensate for theEIR terminal movements when projecting the image onto the surface of thetarget object by determining the spatial position of the EIR terminalrelatively to the object being imaged by the imaging device, andadjusting the position of the projectable image accordingly to thedetected shift in the EIR terminal's spatial position, so that theprojection of the image remains stationary despite possible movements ofthe terminal (e.g., due to hand movements of the terminal operator), aslong as the decoded indicia remains within the FOV of the imagingdevice.

The EIR terminal disclosed herein can be used, for example, for bar codereading and decoding POS and other applications. A skilled artisan wouldappreciate the fact that other uses of EIR terminal are within the scopeof this disclosure. Of course, devices that read bar codes, readradio-frequency identifier (RFID) tags, or read cards bearing encodedinformation (e.g., magnetic cards or smart cards) can read more than oneof these categories while remaining within the scope of this disclosure.For example, a device that reads bar codes can include a card reader,and/or RFID reader; a device that reads RFID can also be able to readbar codes and/or cards; and a device that reads cards can be able toalso read bar codes and/or RFID. For further clarity, it is notnecessary that a device's primary function involve any of thesefunctions in order to be considered such a device; for example, acellular telephone, a smartphone, or a PDA that is capable of readingbar codes is a device that read bar codes for purposes of thisdisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of the EIRterminal. EIR terminal 100 can include a microprocessor 25communicatively coupled to a system bus 50. Also coupled to the systembus 50 can be various components, peripheral devices, and interfacecircuits. For example, an electrical power input unit 32 can be coupledto system bus 50 by interface circuit 34; an illumination light sourcebank control circuit 36 can be coupled to system bus 50 by interfacecircuit 38; an aiming light source bank control circuit 40 can becoupled to system bus 50 by interface circuit 42; and a trigger 44 canbe coupled to system bus 50 by interface circuit 46. Terminal 100 canalso include a display 48 coupled to system bus 50 via interface 52, andcan also include a pointer mechanism 54 coupled to system bus 50 viainterface 56.

In one embodiment, EIR terminal 100 can also include a motion sensingdevice 55 coupled to system bus 50 via interface 57. In a furtheraspect, motion sensing device 55 can comprise at least threeaccelerometers configured to measure proper acceleration values of theterminal in at least three mutually-perpendicular directions. A skilledartisan would appreciate the fact that other motion sensing devices arewithin the scope of this disclosure.

In a further aspect, EIR terminal 100 can comprise an EIR deviceprovided, for example, by an indicia reading system 90 details of whichare shown in FIG. 3. Terminal 100 can be configured so that in responseto activation of a trigger signal activated by the trigger 44, asuccession of frames can be read out from image sensor 104 (see FIG. 3),typically in the form of analog signals, and then, after analog todigital conversion, the image can be stored into memory 70, withoptional buffering of one or more of the succession of frames. The EIRdevice can be configured to output raw message data containing anencoded message and/or output decoded message corresponding to theencoded message.

In one embodiment, EIR terminal 100 can also include an illuminationpattern light source bank 58 and associated light shaping optics 60 forgenerating an illumination pattern on object 14 substantiallycorresponding to a field of view of terminal 100. The combination ofbank 58 and optics 60 can comprise an illumination pattern generator 62.In one embodiment, EIR terminal 100 can also include an aiming patternlight source bank 64 and associated light shaping optics 66 forgenerating an aiming pattern on the object 14. The combination of bank64 and optics 66 can comprise an aiming pattern generator 68.

In a further aspect, system memory 70 of terminal 100 can include RAM72; a nonvolatile memory 74, such as an EPROM; and a storage memorydevice 76, such as a flash memory or a hard drive memory. Terminal 100can also include a direct memory access unit (DMA) 80 for providing adirect access to memory 70 to various devices in communication withsystem bus 50. Alternatively, EIR terminal 100 can employ a system bus50 providing for bus arbitration mechanism (for example, a PCI bus),thus eliminating the need for a central DMA controller. A skilledartisan would appreciate that other embodiments of the system busarchitecture and/or direct memory access components providing forefficient data transfer between the image sensor 104 of FIG. 3 andmemory 70 are within the scope and the spirit of the present invention.

In a further aspect, EIR terminal 100 can comprise an image projectingsystem 80 details of which are shown in FIG. 3.

In one embodiment, EIR terminal 100 can also comprise a second EIRprovided, for example, by a radio-frequency identifier (RFID) readingdevice or a card reading device (e.g., a magnetic card reading device,or a smart card reading device using NFC technology).

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of illustrative embodiments of indicia readingsystem 90 and image projection system 80 of FIG. 2. In one embodiment,indicia reading system 90 can include image collecting optics 102configured to receive the light reflected by a target object, and directthe light rays to an image sensor 104. In another aspect of theinvention, image sensor 104 can comprise a sensor array, for example, aCCD or CMOS imager or another one- and/or two-dimensional sensor array,such as the sensor arrays disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/174,447 filed on Jun. 30, 2005 [herein “the '447 application”], nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,780,089 (other patents pending), marketed under the term“MonoColor” imaging. The disclosure of the '447 application is includedby reference herein in its entirety.

Optics 102 can be configured to focus an image of decodable indicia 12of FIG. 1 located within its field of view, onto image sensor 104. In afurther aspect, optics 102 can be capable of providing multiple focallengths and multiple best focus distances.

Indicia reading system 90 can capture frames of image data at a rateknown as a frame rate. A typical frame rate is 60 frames per second(FPS) which translates to a frame time (frame period) of 16.6milliseconds (ms). Another typical frame rate is 30 frames per second(FPS) which translates to a frame time (frame period) of 33.3 ms perframe.

As shown in FIG. 3, in one aspect, indicia detecting system 90 caninclude a light source 110. Light source 110 can be provided toilluminate the target object within the field of view of indiciadetecting system 90, for example, a bar code label attached to a retailitem, as shown in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, light source 110 can beprovided by a laser diode. Alternatively, light source 110 can beomitted and the decodable image can be illuminated by projecting system80, for example, by one or more light sources 82R, 82G, and 82B (one ormore red, green or blue laser diodes, respectively). Thus, in oneembodiment, projecting system 80 can function as both an image projectorand an image illuminator, for example, for indicia reading system 90. Inanother embodiment, light source 110 can be provided by an illuminationsystem comprising one or more LEDs, including red, green, blue and/orwhite. In some embodiments, light source 110 can include illuminationfocusing optical elements comprising one or more lenses or reflectiveelements.

In a further aspect, the image data captured by image sensor 104 can beprocessed by amplifier 106 and analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 108prior to being forwarded to system bus 50, for example, for storage inmemory 70 and/or processing by microprocessor 25.

Terminal 100 can be configured to locate one or more decodable indiciawithin the captured image. Terminal 100 can be further configured,responsive to locating one or more decodable indicia, to decode thedecodable indicia. For example, to decode a bar code symbol, EIRterminal 100 can process image data corresponding to a sub-set of imagepixels (for example a row, a column, or a diagonal set of pixelpositions) to determine a spatial pattern of dark and light cells andcan convert each light and dark cell pattern determined into a characteror character string via, for example, a table lookup, for output ofdecode data (decoded image data), e.g., in the form of a characterstring. A skilled artisan would appreciate the fact that various methodsof locating and decoding decodable indicia are within the scope of thisdisclosure.

Image projecting system 80 is now being described with references toFIG. 3. Image projecting system 80 can include one or more light sources82 (for example, one or more red 82R, green 82G, and blue 82B,light-emitting diodes (LEDs)) and a light manipulation sub-system 85.Light sources 82 can each be operatively connected to a respectivedriver 84 coupled to system bus 50. The light emitted by one or morelight sources 82 can be directed by light manipulation sub-system 85configured to project a two dimensional image. In a further aspect, thelight manipulation sub-system can comprise one or more prisms 86, andone or more rotatable prisms 90. In one embodiment, prisms 86 can bewavelength selective, by reflecting light substantially only within aspecific wavelength range (for example, red light, green light, or bluelight) while transmitting other wavelength ranges.

In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 3, the light emitted by lightsources 82 can be directed to one or more rotatable prisms 90 and 94,for example, via one or more prisms 86 (for example, one of prisms 86Rreflecting red light, 86G reflecting green light, and 86B reflectingblue light from red laser diode 82R, green laser diode 86G, and bluelaser diode 86B, respectively). The light emitted by light sources 82can be reflected off prisms 86 to a rotating prism 90 as indicated bylight beams 88. Mirror or prism 86B can be wave length selective forblue light whereby light received from source 82B can be reflected asblue light beam 88B toward prism 86G. Mirror or prism 86G can bewavelength selective whereby only green light from light source 82G canbe reflected off prism 86G while blue light beam 88B can passsubstantially unreflected through prism 86G and can combine with thegreen light from light source 82G reflected off prism 86G to produce adual color, blue and green (shown as light beam 88GB). In a similarmanner, prism 86R can be wavelength selective whereby only red lightfrom light source 82R can be reflected off prism 86R, while green andblue light beam 88GB can pass substantially unreflected through prism86R and can combine with the red light from light source 82R reflectedoff prism 86R to produce a multi-color (red, green, and blue) light beam88RGB. Multi-color light beam 88RGB can be directed to one or morerotatable prisms 90 and 94 to create a two dimensional scan pattern orimage with, e.g., two degrees of freedom.

One or more rotatable mirrors 90, having a rotation as indicated bycurved arrow 91, can typically be driven by a driver 92 connected tosystem bus 50. The light reflected from rotatable mirror 90 can bedirected to one or more rotatable mirrors 94. Rotatable mirror 94,having a rotation as indicated by curved arrow 95, can also typically bedriven by driver 96 connected to system bus 50. The light 98 directed bymirror 94 exits terminal 100, for example, after manipulation byappropriate optics (not shown) and provides the image 16 on object 12(see FIG. 1). In a further aspect, light sources 82 can also includeappropriate beam forming optical elements such as collimating lenses,apertures, and/or phase masks associated with them.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a decodable indiciareading terminal 100 disclosed herein. Terminal 100 can include ahousing 122 having a display 124, for example, an LCD or LED display.Display 124 can be employed to display a graphical user interface (GUI)having a plurality of icons 126 for user input, manipulation, oractivation of pre-determined routines. Terminal 100 can include at leastone icon or button 128 adapted to activate an indicia reading system,for example, indicia reading system 90 shown in FIG. 3. Terminal 100 canalso include an icon or button 130 adapted to activate projecting system80 shown in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, selection of “Read” icon 128 canactivate indicia reading system 90 whereby terminal 100 can acquire animage of a target object within its field of view, and can locate anddecode one or more decodable indicia.

In one embodiment, upon decoding one or more decodable indicia 12,without additional input from the user, EIR terminal 100 can generateand project onto the surface of target object 16 an image comprising atleast one text string containing at least part of the decoded message orderived from the decoded message (e.g., price and/or stock informationfor the item bearing the decodable indicia). Alternatively, EIR terminal100 can generate and project onto the surface of target object 16 animage comprising at least one text string containing at least part ofthe decoded message or derived from the decoded message responsive toreceiving a user input (e.g., the user's selecting “Project” icon 130).

In a further aspect, image detection and image projection can beprovided from any surface of housing 122, for example, from a topsurface, that is, the surface having display 124; or a bottom surface,that is, the surface opposite the surface having display 124, or fromany one or more of the lateral or side surfaces of housing 122. In oneembodiment, image data can be received and projection data can beprojected from the same surface of housing 122, for example, as shown inFIG. 4 where the image is received and the image is projected from a topedge of housing 122. In another embodiment, image detection and imageprojection can be provided from different surfaces of housing 122. Forexample, image detection can be provided from the top edge of housing122, as shown in FIG. 4, while image projection can be provided from thebottom surface of housing 122, that is, from the surface oppositedisplay 124. Other configurations and relative physical locations forimage detection and image projection are within the scope of thisdisclosure.

As noted herein supra, in one embodiment, the EIR terminal can beconfigured to compensate for its movements while projecting the imageonto the surface of the target object. In one embodiment, the EIRterminal can, responsive to successfully decoding the decodable indicia,to repeatedly generate a projectable image, project the projectableimage onto the surface of the target object, and acquire a new image ofthe target object. Upon projecting the projectable image, the EIRterminal can ascertain whether a pre-determined termination condition issatisfied, and if so, exit from the image projecting loop. Thetermination condition can be provided, for example, by an expiration ofa pre-defined timeout and/or a user interface action.

An illustrative embodiment of a method of projecting an image by adecodable indicia reading terminal disclosed herein is now beingdescribed with references to the flowchart of FIG. 5 a.

At steps 6010-6020, EIR terminal 100 can perform a user interface inputloop, and responsive to establishing at step 6020 that Scan button hasbeen activated by the operator of terminal 100, the processing cancontinue at step 6030; otherwise, the method can loop back to step 6010.A skilled artisan would appreciate the fact that other ways ofinitiating an image acquiring operation are within the scope of thisdisclosure.

At step 6030, EIR terminal 100 can acquire an image of the objectfocused onto by the imaging lens.

At step 6050, EIR terminal 100 can locate one or more decodable indiciawithin the acquired image.

At step 6060, EIR terminal 100 can decode one or more decodable indiciawithin the acquired image.

At step 6070, EIR terminal 100 can generate an image to be projectedonto the surface of the target object, as described in details hereinsupra.

At step 6080, EIR terminal 100 can project the generated image onto thesurface of the target object, as described in details herein supra.

At step 6090, EIR terminal 100 can acquire an image of the objectfocused onto by the imaging lens.

At step 6100, EIR terminal 100 can locate one or more decodable indiciawithin the acquired image.

Responsive to ascertaining at step 6110 that the condition oftermination has been satisfied, EIR terminal can continue processing atstep 6120; otherwise, the method can loop back to step 6070. As notedherein supra, the condition of termination can be provided, e.g., by apre-defined timeout expiration or a user interface action.

At step 6120, EIR terminal 100 can stop projecting the generated image,and the method can loop back to step 6010.

In another embodiment, the EIR terminal can be configured to determinethe change of its spatial position relatively to its spatial position atthe time of acquiring an image of the target object, and to compensatefor the terminal movements when projecting the image onto the surface ofthe target object, so that the projection of the image remainedstationary despite possible movements of the terminal (e.g., due to handtremor of the terminal operator) as long as the decoded indicia remainswithin the FOV of the imaging device.

Responsive to acquiring an image of the target object, the EIR terminalcan set a point of origin at its current spatial position, and to starttracking, using motion sensing data returned by the motion sensingdevice, any subsequent movements of the terminal relatively to the pointof origin. At a pre-defined rate (e.g., 25 times per second), the EIRterminal can determine the change in its position relatively to thepoint of origin, and to adjust the positions of the image formingelements (e.g., rotatable mirrors 90 and 94 via drivers 92 and 96,respectively) accordingly, so that the projection of the image onto thesurface of the target object remained stationary. Terminal 100 can stopprojecting the image responsive to detecting a change in its spatialposition and/or orientation leading to the new FOV of the imaging deviceno longer included the decodable indicia used to produce the projectedimage. Alternatively, EIR terminal 100 can stop projecting the imageresponsive to receiving a user interface action to acquire a new image.

An illustrative embodiment of a method of projecting an image by adecodable indicia reading terminal disclosed herein is now beingdescribed with references to the flowchart of FIG. 5 b.

At steps 5010-5020, EIR terminal 100 can perform a user interface inputloop, and responsive to establishing at step 5020 that Scan button hasbeen activated by the operator of terminal 100, the processing cancontinue at step 5030; otherwise, the method can loop back to step 5010.A skilled artisan would appreciate the fact that other ways ofinitiating an image acquiring operation are within the scope of thisdisclosure.

At step 5030, EIR terminal 100 can acquire an image of the objectfocused onto by the imaging lens.

At step 5050, EIR terminal 100 can reset the position tracking variablesthus setting a point of origin at its current spatial position, forsubsequent tracking of the terminal movements.

At step 5060, EIR terminal 100 can locate one or more decodable indiciawithin the acquired image.

At step 5070, EIR terminal 100 can decode one or more decodable indiciawithin the acquired image.

At step 5080, EIR terminal 100 can generate an image to be projectedonto the surface of the target object, as described in details hereinsupra.

At step 5090, EIR terminal 100 can project the generated image onto thesurface of the target object, as described in details herein supra.

At step 5100, EIR terminal 100 can determine the variation of itscurrent position relatively to the point of origin established at step5050. In one embodiment, EIR terminal 100 can determine itsdisplacements from the point of origin along at least threeperpendicular axes using the motion sensing data returned by the motionsensing device.

Responsive to ascertaining at step 5110 that variation of the positionof terminal 100 along any of the coordinate axes does not exceed apre-defined threshold, EIR terminal 100 can, at step 5120, adjust thepositions of the image forming elements (e.g., rotatable mirrors 90 and94 via drivers 92 and 96, respectively) accordingly. Upon completingstep 5120, the method can loop back to step 5100.

Responsive to ascertaining at step 5110 that variation of the positionof terminal 100 along at least one coordinate axis exceeds a pre-definedthreshold, EIR terminal 100 can, at step 5130, stop projecting the imageonto the surface of target object, and the method can loop back to step5010.

In a further aspect, EIR terminal 100 can be incorporated in a datacollection system. The data collection system, schematically shown inFIG. 6, can include a plurality of EIR terminals 100 a-100 z incommunication with a plurality of interconnected networks 110 a-110 z.In one aspect, the plurality of networks 110 a-110 z can include atleast one wireless communication network. In a further aspect, an EIRterminal can comprise a communication interface which can be used by theterminal to connect to one or more networks 110 a-110 z. In oneembodiment, the communication interface can be provided by a wirelesscommunication interface.

EIR terminal 100 can establish a communication session with an externalcomputer 171. In one embodiment, network frames can be exchanged byoptical indicia reading 100 and external computer 171 via one or morerouters, base stations, and other infrastructure elements. In anotherembodiment, external computer 171 can be reachable by EIR terminal 100via a local area network (LAN). In a yet another embodiment, externalcomputer 171 can be reachable by EIR terminal 100 via a wide areanetwork (WAN). A skilled artisan would appreciate the fact that othermethods of providing interconnectivity between optical indicia reading100 and external computer 171 relying upon LANs, WANs, virtual privatenetworks (VPNs), and/or other types of network are within the scope ofthis disclosure.

In one embodiment, the communications between EIR terminal 100 andexternal computer 171 can comprise a series of HTTP requests andresponses transmitted over one or more TCP connections. A skilledartisan would appreciate the fact that using other transport andapplication level protocols is within the scope and the spirit of theinvention.

In one embodiment, at least one of the messages transmitted by EIRterminal 100 can include decoded message corresponding to, e.g., a barcode attached to a retail item. For example, EIR terminal 100 cantransmit a request to external computer 171 to retrieve productinformation corresponding to a product identifier encoded by the barcode attached to the retail item. The product information can be used toproduce an image to be projected onto the surface of the bar codebearing item, as described in details herein supra.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to certain exemplary embodiments, it will be understoodby one skilled in the art that various changes in detail can be affectedtherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by claims that can be supported by the written description anddrawings. Further, where exemplary embodiments are described withreference to a certain number of elements it will be understood that theexemplary embodiments can be practiced utilizing less than the certainnumber of elements.

A small sample of systems methods and apparatus that are describedherein is as follows:

A1. An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal comprising:

-   -   a microprocessor;    -   a memory;    -   an EIR device including a two-dimensional imager, said EIR        device configured to perform one of: outputting raw message data        containing an encoded message, outputting a decoded message        corresponding to an encoded message;    -   a micro-projector including a light source and a light        manipulation sub-system;    -   wherein said EIR terminal is configured to acquire an image of a        target object in a field of view (FOV) of said two-dimensional        imager;    -   wherein said EIR terminal is further configured, responsive to        successfully locating decodable indicia within said image, to        produce a decoded message by decoding said decodable indicia;    -   wherein said EIR terminal is further configured, responsive to        successfully decoding said decodable indicia, to repeatedly        perform the following steps: (i) generating a projectable        image; (ii) projecting said projectable image onto a surface of        said target object using said micro-projector, so that said        projectable image provides a visual reference to said decodable        indicia on said surface of said target object; (iii) acquiring        an image of an object in said FOV; (iv) locating said decodable        indicia within said acquired image; and (v) looping back to        step (i) unless a pre-defined condition of termination is        satisfied.

A2. The EIR terminal of (A1), wherein a frequency of performing saidsteps (i)-(v) can be calculated to compensate for movements of said EIRterminal.

A3. The EIR terminal of (A1), wherein said pre-defined condition oftermination is provided by one of: an expiration of a pre-definedtimeout and a user interface action.

A4. The EIR terminal of (A1), wherein said EIR terminal is configured toacquire said image of said target object responsive to a user interfaceaction.

A5. The EIR terminal of (A1), said visual reference is provided by atleast one of: overlaying each of said projectable images over saiddecodable indicia on said surface of said target object, disposing eachof said projectable images on said surface of said target object withina distance from said decodable indicia not exceeding a characteristicdimension of said decodable indicia.

A6. The EIR terminal of (A1), wherein each of said projectable imagesincludes at least one of: a text string comprising at least a part ofsaid decoded message, a text string derived from said decoded message.

A7. The EIR terminal of (A1), further comprising a second EIR deviceselected from the group consisting of: a radio-frequency identifier(RFID) reading device and a card reading device, said EIR deviceconfigured to perform one of: outputting raw message data containing anencoded message, outputting a decoded message corresponding to anencoded message.

B1. An EIR terminal comprising:

-   -   a microprocessor;    -   a memory;    -   an EIR device including a two-dimensional imager, said EIR        device configured to perform one of: outputting raw message data        containing an encoded message, outputting a decoded message        corresponding to an encoded message;    -   a micro-projector including a light source and a light        manipulation sub-system;    -   a motion sensing device configured to output motion sensing        data;    -   wherein said EIR terminal is configured to acquire an image of a        target object in a field of view (FOV) of said two-dimensional        imager;    -   wherein said EIR terminal is further configured, responsive to        successfully locating decodable indicia within said image, to        produce a decoded message by decoding said decodable indicia;    -   wherein said EIR terminal is further configured, responsive to        successfully decoding said decodable indicia, to generate a        projectable image and project said projectable image onto a        surface of said target object using said micro-projector, said        projectable image providing a visual reference to said decodable        indicia on said surface said target object; and    -   wherein said EIR terminal is further configured, using said        motion sensing data, to compensate for terminal movements when        projecting said projectable image.

B2. The EIR terminal of (B1), wherein said motion sensing device isprovided by at least three accelerometers configured to measure properacceleration values of said EIR terminal in at least threemutually-perpendicular directions.

B3. The EIR terminal of (B1), wherein said EIR terminal is configured toacquire said image of said target object responsive to a user interfaceaction.

B4. The EIR terminal of (B1), wherein said visual reference is providedby at least one of: overlaying said projectable image over saiddecodable indicia on said surface of said target object, disposing saidprojectable image on said surface of said target object within adistance from said decodable indicia not exceeding a characteristicdimension of said decodable indicia.

B5. The EIR terminal of (B1), wherein said projectable image includes atleast one of: a text string comprising at least a part of said decodedmessage, a text string derived from said decoded message.

B6. The EIR terminal of (B1), further comprising a second EIR deviceselected from the group consisting of: a radio-frequency identifier(RFID) reading device and a card reading device, said EIR deviceconfigured to perform one of: outputting raw message data containing anencoded message, outputting a decoded message corresponding to anencoded message.

C1. An EIR terminal comprising:

-   -   a microprocessor;    -   a memory;    -   an EIR device including a two-dimensional imager, said EIR        device configured to perform one of: outputting raw message data        containing an encoded message, outputting a decoded message        corresponding to an encoded message;    -   a micro-projector including a light source and a light        manipulation sub-system;    -   a motion sensing device configured to output motion sensing        data;    -   wherein said EIR terminal is configured to acquire an image of a        target object in a field of view (FOV) of said two-dimensional        imager;    -   wherein said EIR terminal is further configured, responsive to        successfully locating decodable indicia within said image, to        produce a decoded message by decoding decodable indicia of said        decodable indicia; and    -   wherein said EIR terminal is further configured, responsive to        successfully decoding said decodable indicia, to generate a        projectable image and project said projectable image onto a        surface said target object using said micro-projector, said        projectable image including at least one of: a text string        comprising at least part of said decoded message, a text string        derived from said decoded message; and    -   wherein said EIR terminal is further configured, using said        motion sensing data, to compensate for terminal movements when        projecting said projectable image.

C2. The EIR terminal of (C1), wherein said motion sensing device isprovided by at least three accelerometers configured to measure properacceleration values of said EIR terminal in at least threemutually-perpendicular directions.

C3. The EIR terminal of (C1), wherein said EIR terminal is configured toacquire said image of said target object responsive to receiving a userinterface action.

C4. The EIR terminal of (C1), wherein said projectable image provides avisual reference to said decodable indicia on said surface of saidtarget object.

C5. The EIR terminal of (C1), wherein said visual reference is providedby at least one of: overlaying said projectable image over saiddecodable indicia, disposing said projectable image within a distancefrom said decodable indicia not exceeding a characteristic dimension ofsaid decodable indicia.

C6. The EIR terminal of (C1), wherein said micro-projector is configuredto project onto said surface of said target object a border of said FOVof said two-dimensional imager.

C7. The EIR terminal of (C1), further comprising a second encodedinformation reading (EIR) device selected from the group consisting of:a radio-frequency identifier (RFID) reading device and a card readingdevice, said EIR device configured to perform one of: outputting rawmessage data containing an encoded message, outputting a decoded messagecorresponding to an encoded message.

1. An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal comprising: amicroprocessor; a memory; an EIR device including a two-dimensionalimager, said EIR device configured to perform one of: outputting rawmessage data containing an encoded message, outputting a decoded messagecorresponding to an encoded message; a micro-projector including a lightsource and a light manipulation sub-system; wherein said EIR terminal isconfigured to acquire an image of a target object in a field of view(FOV) of said two-dimensional imager; wherein said EIR terminal isfurther configured, responsive to successfully locating decodableindicia within said image, to produce a decoded message by decoding saiddecodable indicia; wherein said EIR terminal is further configured,responsive to successfully decoding said decodable indicia, torepeatedly perform the following steps: (i) generating a projectableimage; (ii) projecting said projectable image onto a surface of saidtarget object using said micro-projector, so that said projectable imageprovides a visual reference to said decodable indicia on said surface ofsaid target object; (iii) acquiring an image of an object in said FOV;(iv) locating said decodable indicia within said acquired image; and (v)looping back to step (i) unless a pre-defined condition of terminationis satisfied.
 2. The EIR terminal of claim 1, wherein a frequency ofperforming said steps (i)-(v) can be calculated to compensate formovements of said EIR terminal.
 3. The EIR terminal of claim 1, whereinsaid pre-defined condition of termination is provided by one of: anexpiration of a pre-defined timeout and a user interface action.
 4. TheEIR terminal of claim 1, wherein said EIR terminal is configured toacquire said image of said target object responsive to a user interfaceaction.
 5. The EIR terminal of claim 1, said visual reference isprovided by at least one of: overlaying each of said projectable imagesover said decodable indicia on said surface of said target object,disposing each of said projectable images on said surface of said targetobject within a distance from said decodable indicia not exceeding acharacteristic dimension of said decodable indicia.
 6. The EIR terminalof claim 1, wherein each of said projectable images includes at leastone of: a text string comprising at least a part of said decodedmessage, a text string derived from said decoded message.
 7. The EIRterminal of claim 1, further comprising a second EIR device selectedfrom the group consisting of: a radio-frequency identifier (RFID)reading device and a card reading device, said EIR device configured toperform one of: outputting raw message data containing an encodedmessage, outputting a decoded message corresponding to an encodedmessage.
 8. An EIR terminal comprising: a microprocessor; a memory; anEIR device including a two-dimensional imager, said EIR deviceconfigured to perform one of: outputting raw message data containing anencoded message, outputting a decoded message corresponding to anencoded message; a micro-projector including a light source and a lightmanipulation sub-system; a motion sensing device configured to outputmotion sensing data; wherein said EIR terminal is configured to acquirean image of a target object in a field of view (FOV) of saidtwo-dimensional imager; wherein said EIR terminal is further configured,responsive to successfully locating decodable indicia within said image,to produce a decoded message by decoding said decodable indicia; whereinsaid EIR terminal is further configured, responsive to successfullydecoding said decodable indicia, to generate a projectable image andproject said projectable image onto a surface of said target objectusing said micro-projector, said projectable image providing a visualreference to said decodable indicia on said surface said target object;and wherein said EIR terminal is further configured, using said motionsensing data, to compensate for terminal movements when projecting saidprojectable image.
 9. The EIR terminal of claim 8, wherein said motionsensing device is provided by at least three accelerometers configuredto measure proper acceleration values of said EIR terminal in at leastthree mutually-perpendicular directions.
 10. The EIR terminal of claim8, wherein said EIR terminal is configured to acquire said image of saidtarget object responsive to a user interface action.
 11. The EIRterminal of claim 8, wherein said visual reference is provided by atleast one of: overlaying said projectable image over said decodableindicia on said surface of said target object, disposing saidprojectable image on said surface of said target object within adistance from said decodable indicia not exceeding a characteristicdimension of said decodable indicia.
 12. The EIR terminal of claim 8,wherein said projectable image includes at least one of: a text stringcomprising at least a part of said decoded message, a text stringderived from said decoded message.
 13. The EIR terminal of claim 8,further comprising a second EIR device selected from the groupconsisting of: a radio-frequency identifier (RFID) reading device and acard reading device, said EIR device configured to perform one of:outputting raw message data containing an encoded message, outputting adecoded message corresponding to an encoded message.
 14. An EIR terminalcomprising: a microprocessor; a memory; an EIR device including atwo-dimensional imager, said EIR device configured to perform one of:outputting raw message data containing an encoded message, outputting adecoded message corresponding to an encoded message; a micro-projectorincluding a light source and a light manipulation sub-system; a motionsensing device configured to output motion sensing data; wherein saidEIR terminal is configured to acquire an image of a target object in afield of view (FOV) of said two-dimensional imager; wherein said EIRterminal is further configured, responsive to successfully locatingdecodable indicia within said image, to produce a decoded message bydecoding decodable indicia of said decodable indicia; and wherein saidEIR terminal is further configured, responsive to successfully decodingsaid decodable indicia, to generate a projectable image and project saidprojectable image onto a surface said target object using saidmicro-projector, said projectable image including at least one of: atext string comprising at least part of said decoded message, a textstring derived from said decoded message; and wherein said EIR terminalis further configured, using said motion sensing data, to compensate forterminal movements when projecting said projectable image.
 15. The EIRterminal of claim 14, wherein said motion sensing device is provided byat least three accelerometers configured to measure proper accelerationvalues of said EIR terminal in at least three mutually-perpendiculardirections.
 16. The EIR terminal of claim 14, wherein said EIR terminalis configured to acquire said image of said target object responsive toreceiving a user interface action.
 17. The EIR terminal of claim 14,wherein said projectable image provides a visual reference to saiddecodable indicia on said surface of said target object.
 18. The EIRterminal of claim 17, wherein said visual reference is provided by atleast one of: overlaying said projectable image over said decodableindicia, disposing said projectable image within a distance from saiddecodable indicia not exceeding a characteristic dimension of saiddecodable indicia.
 19. The EIR terminal of claim 14, wherein saidmicro-projector is configured to project onto said surface of saidtarget object a border of said FOV of said two-dimensional imager. 20.The EIR terminal of claim 14, further comprising a second encodedinformation reading (EIR) device selected from the group consisting of:a radio-frequency identifier (RFID) reading device and a card readingdevice, said EIR device configured to perform one of: outputting rawmessage data containing an encoded message, outputting a decoded messagecorresponding to an encoded message.